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Bob Dylan at 80: Celebrate with The Current

Bob Dylan is at center in a group of Herzl campers in 1957. Louie Kemp is immediately to the right of Dylan; Larry Kegan is immediately to the left.
Bob Dylan is at center in a group of Herzl campers in 1957. Louie Kemp is immediately to the right of Dylan; Larry Kegan is immediately to the left.Mark Alpert

by Jay Gabler

May 14, 2021

Bob Dylan was born in Duluth and raised in Hibbing, and went on to become the most acclaimed singer-songwriter of his generation. On May 24 he turns 80 years old, and The Current has planned a wealth of programming to celebrate this landmark birthday.

Here's what to watch, and listen, for over the ten days leading up to Bob's 80th!

Dylan at 80 graphic 1024x512
Dylan at 80
MPR graphic

Saturday, May 15

Musicheads Essential Album feature: Desire

Sunday, May 16

Musicheads Essential Album feature: Slow Train Coming

Monday, May 17

Musicheads Essential Album feature: The Basement Tapes

Playlist: Bob Dylan's most epic songs

Tuesday, May 18

Musicheads Essential Album feature: Time Out of Mind

Wednesday, May 19

Musicheads Essential Album feature: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Thursday, May 20

Musicheads Essential Album feature: The Times They Are A-Changin'

Rock and Roll Book Club: The World of Bob Dylan, ed. Sean Latham (on air and online, 8:30 a.m.)

Friday, May 21

Musicheads Essential Album feature: Bringing It All Back Home

Saturday, May 22

Musicheads Essential Album feature: Blonde on Blonde

Teenage Kicks: '80s Bob for Bob's 80th (on air, 8-10 a.m.)

Saturday Theme: Dylan covers (on air throughout the day)

Radio Free Current: Great covers, Dylan and beyond (on air, 7-11 p.m.)

Sunday, May 23

Musicheads Essential Album feature: Highway 61 Revisited

Radio Heartland: Folky Bob (on air, 7-8 a.m.)

United States of Americana: Country-leaning Bob (8-10 a.m.)

The Local Show: Bob Dylan tracks alongside other Minnesota music (on air, 6-8 p.m.)

The Duluth Local Show: Bob and covers (on air, 8-9 p.m.)

Monday, May 24

Musicheads Essential Album feature: Blood On the Tracks

Playlist: Dylan's Minnesota songs

Coffee Break: Bob Dylan's places (on air, 9:30-10:00 a.m.)

Special feature: 80 essential Dylan songs (on air with Mary Lucia and Bill DeVille, 4-10 p.m.)